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Who doesn't remember the uniforms the Astros were wearing when they clinched their first NL Central title in 1997?

The 50th anniversary of Major League Baseball in Houston will be celebrated this year, and to supplement the good times, most of the promotions, events and giveaways will center around this Golden milestone.

Fridays at Minute Maid Park this year are going to be a very big deal. Tabbed “Flashback Fridays,” these nights will go heavy on nostalgia, from the uniforms the players wear during the game to iconic players from the past who will be on hand to celebrate the club’s history.

The Astros will highlight a different uniform each month, with the team wearing that jersey for each Friday night game. The featured jerseys include:

1960’s Colt .45s (April 10 – commemorating the first game in franchise history and April 20)1960’s Shooting Star (May 4 and May 18)1970’s Rainbow (June 1 and June 22)1980’s Shoulder Rainbow (July 6 and July 27)1990’s Blue and Gold Star (Aug. 10, Aug. 17 and Aug. 31)

“Flashback Fridays” also feature special ballpark entertainment and fireworks shows themed to each particular decade. In addition, as part of the celebration, Colt .45s and Astros alumni from the past 50 seasons will be invited back to toss out ceremonial first pitches prior to those Friday games.

This year’s bobblehead set will feature Astros “Greatest Moments” from 50 years of baseball in Houston.

The first bobble features Nolan Ryan (May 19) celebrating his record fifth no-hitter in 1981. Craig Biggio (June 22) portrays his unforgettable 3,000th hit in 2007, followed by Cy Young Award winning pitcher Mike Scott (July 7) clinching the National League West Division with a no-hitter in 1986.

Craig Biggio's 3,000th hit will forever be immortalized with this nifty bobblehead.

Nolan Ryan's fifth no-hitter happened in 1981, and 31 short years later, the moment will be captured with this bobblehead.

Rounding out this year’s “Greatest Moments” bobblehead lineup is a pair of home run heroes. In what currently stands as the longest playoff game in Major League history, 2005 National League Division Series hero Chris Burke (July 28) joins the set for his 18th inning walk-off homer in a year that saw the Astros in their first World Series.

Jeff Kent (Sept. 1) joins in similar fashion for his walk-off home run in Game 5 of the 2004 National League Championship Series.

Among the remaining highlights for 2012:

All-Time 25-Man Roster Vote

A panel of 10 experts has voted on the Astros All-Time 25-Man Roster, and throughout the season, Astros fans will have a chance to let their voices be heard as they will cast the 11th vote. Each month throughout the season, a different position will be featured on astros.com and fans can cast their vote on their all-time favorite players.

Pink in the Park week is back in 2012. The week (May 4-9), dedicated to driving awareness for breast cancer research, will kick off with the fourth annual Pink in the Park Brunch and Bazaar, benefiting the Methodist Cancer Center (May 4). The rest of the week will feature pink giveaway items including a Belted Tote Bag (May 4), a Pink Yoga Mat (May 6), and Pink Pashmina Scarf (May 7).

Special Events

The 2012 calendar features many events including fan favorites as well as events specifically geared towards the anniversary celebration. Returning in 2012 is Opening Day Street Fest (April 6), Friday Night Fireworks, Dog Day (May 6 and Sept. 16), Bayou Bash (May 19), Bike to the Ballpark (June 3), Faith and Family Night Concerts (June 23 featuring Third Day and July 28 featuring Mercy Me), and Oktoberfest (Sept. 15).

The Astros are bringing back local members of the 1962 Colt .45s roster for a pregame ceremony and reunion on Tuesday, April 10, 50 years to the day from the first game ever played in franchise history. In addition, the season-long celebration culminates with Legends Weekend (Sept. 21-23) in which all Colt .45s and Astros alumni will be invited to Minute Maid Park to take part in anniversary activities. As a part of the weekend, all available members of the Astros All-Time 25-Man roster will be recognized in a special pregame ceremony.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.astros.com, at the Minute Maid Park box office on Texas Avenue or by phone toll free at 1-877-9ASTROS (1-877-927-8767). Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster retail centers in all Fiesta and select Macy’s, H-E-B, F.Y.E., Wherehouse Music and Ritmo Latino stores during regular store hours.

5 Comments

Will the replica jerseys they give away also have been politically-corrected by the hypocrites in MLB’s front office? Chief Wahoo in Cleveland is totally okay, but a 150-year-old pistol? Heaven forbid! Think of the poor children! They could be scarred for life!

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